Summary & Analysis Reflection

The current paper on the Summary and Analysis helped me learn quite a lot about how I used to write argumentative essays. When I first began writing arguments, I would write strictly based on a specific format. This format included an introductions, arguments, a counterargument, and a conclusion. However, with this paper, there is no specific template. Instead, it includes summarizing, discussing whether you agree with the author, and analyzing the author's thoughts. This essay is different from traditional argumentative essays. With the current essay, I am able to think deeper and analyze the writing by bits whereas before, I would choose a few quotes from the entire reading and just focus on those. The summary and analysis paper encourages me to think outside the box and be more specific. I feel that it really has improved my writing skills for argumentative essays.

Google Docs Opinion

I feel that using Google Docs throughout was very helpful. I liked the idea of not having to worry about printing out my papers each time we would revise in class. I was able to store every draft inside a folder rather than having piles and piles of papers. Having all my papers on Google Docs helped me stay organized and save time looking for different documents. It was also beneficial because I did not have to worry about saving the drafts because they would automatically be saved each time you make a change. Therefore, unlike Microsoft Word, I did not have to worry about clicking save every minute to make sure the paper saves in case connection is lost or my computer restarts. Furthermore, I feel like it made it easier to share documents with others to peer review. Overall, I enjoyed using Google Docs and would like to continue using it for future classes, too.

Multimodal Project

Unsupportive Claims

Trump's Accusations

After losing by 3 million votes, Trump repeatedly claims that many people voted illegally causing him to lose popular vote. There is no study showing that there were votes being cast illegally. Although he has been shown evidence that voter fraud was not the case, he maintains his belief. He tweeted,"In addition to winning the electoral college by a landslide, I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally." However, where is the evidence to prove that's the case? Furthermore, Trump and his workers have said that they will release proof when "the time is right." If he wants to be right, then wouldn't he have released evidence of voter fraud already? If Trump wants America to believe that voter fraud really did happen, then he needs proof to back it up. However, Trump has no proof and is probably just angry that he was not able to win the popular vote.

Hustwit's Trilogies

Hustwit's trilogy of documentaries focus on problems and how they were solved or are being solved. I thought his way of explaining actually opened my mind and made me think unlike other documentaries where they just inform you. I feel his documentaries will definitely educate the public as they educated me. His explanations and stories gave me more thought to urbanization. In on of his films, "Urbanized", he talks about transportation and how it still needs to be changed. I agree. Our transportation could be better. Furthermore, he explains that building more sidewalks and bike trails could make everyone socially equal. I feel this would especially benefit in the poorer areas where most people bike or walk to their destination. There should be more sidewalks there. Overall, I thought Hustwit's thoughts were interesting and definitely raise awareness on how we can improve our society.

Freewrite

While writing this microtheme, I realized that as a writer, I tend to try to add a lot of detail. I found writing the microtheme to be sort of challenging since I have to compress all of my writing to fit onto just one page. It seems difficult to find what to keep and what to leave out of the paper. However, I was able to realize that if I actually try and put my mind to it, I can do it. I also learned I tend to like doing everything the easy way. I do not like writing new things. I rather write something I have already done before and that I am used to. Writing the microtheme made me step out of my writing comfort zone and explore new ways to write.

Microtheme Draft Reflection

My microtheme is on why people choose to eat fast food. I was able to come with reasons super quickly for the problem. However, what I find challenging is the conclusion. It s difficult trying to end the essay without trying to give out solutions or adding extra information. I am going to look at the other samples and try to see how others ended their essay.

Microtheme Example Revision

Smoking Near Children

     I hate when people smoke near children. A couple of weeks ago, I spotted a woman sitting in the car with her two children and she appeared to be smoking a cigarette. Although the window was cracked open, a cloud of smoke still drifted in the car. If smoking is known to have harmful effects on the smoker themselves, why do people still choose to smoke near kids?

     One reason people smoke near children may be because smoking is an individual right. If someone wants to smoke, it is their right to. It is no one's business to tell them if they should be allowed to smoke near their kids or not. It would be wrong to take away the right to smoke.

     Another reason they may smoke near kids is because of the calming effect a cigarette has on the smoker. Kids can be stressful at times and sometimes, a person just wants to relax. The cigarette might be the only way to keep the parent from striking out at the child in a situation.

     Furthermore, smokers may not realize the danger smoke can cause to those around them. Second hand smoking can be just as dangerous as actually smoking. If parents are smoking near the kids, they can inhale the smoke,as well.

     If we could begin to think truthfully and critically why people smoke, perhaps they will realize that it can have harmful effects on the children, too. Exposing children to cigarette smoke can be dangerous,but it is difficult to take action when the harm is being done by the child's own parent. If this concern could be addressed reasonably, then perhaps the habit of smoking near children could come to an end.

Arts and Ideas Events

How might we (in the First Year Writing Program) shape up a forum for discussing FAKE NEWS with the campus community?

     The game show seems like a good idea for an event discussing fake news. Also, things like jeopardy would work for this. I feel games would be best for the event. It is a way for students to participate and try to tell apart the fake news from actual news that has been said. I feel that games like these will be more effective than lectures.

Published Review Vs. My Review

     My reflection of Project NIM compared to a published review were very distinct. A review posted in The New York Times. The published review gives more of a summary of the movie, while I based my review mostly on how I felt after watching the documentary. I summarized a bit to explain why I felt the way I felt. Furthermore, the published review tries to make the review apply to all audience, while my reflection is more biased. I explained what I thought was wrong and inhumane about the film, whereas The New York Times keeps their review more professional. The author does state that the documentary was immoral at some points. However, I go on to explain the reason why. Moreover, I added questions and concerns I had after watching the documentary. The published review captures the relationships in great detail, but I focused on the film overall. I think the published review captured the true meaning behind Project NIM  without it being a personal review like mine.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/08/movies/project-nim-about-a-chimpanzee-subjected-to-research-review.html

Documentary Reflection

Project NIM

Directed by James Marsh

      The documentary I chose to watch was Project NIM. Project NIM is a story of a chimpanzee who has been raised by a team of researchers. The project started when professor Dr.Herbert Terrance wanted to see if an animal could develop human skills if it were to be treated as a human. Growing up, NIM learned an unbelievable amount of things that nobody would have expected a chimp would have the ability to do.

      The initial scene of the documentary made me believe this was going to be a nice story of how a chimp was raised by humans. The beginning of the video portrayed a couple of chimpanzees playing outside. However, the next couple of minutes into the video really angered me. Stephanie Lafarge, the lady who brought in NIM, stated that she had a feeling the mother chimpanzee knew what was going on. Humans had already taken six babies from her previously. The lady did not show any emotion. When I saw the scene of the young chimp in his mother's arms, I was heartbroken. I could not believe how people could just take the young chimp away from his mother. Then, as the doctor came to get NIM, the mother was trying to protect her child in the corner of the cage. The doctor took out his tranquilizer gun and shot the chimp. I couldn't believe my eyes. These people showed no signs of compassion to the animals. It made me wonder if they even had any morals at all.

     There were many moments in the film where I was in complete and utter shock. There were both, good and bad, moments. One of the things that surprised me the most was the relationships NIM had developed with some of the researchers. In particular, NIM had developed an incredible connection with Bob Ingersoll, one of the student researchers at the facility. It melted my heart when I seen how much fun and contentment the two shared. It was nice to see that at least one of the researchers had a heart. Bob wanted the chimp to be treated with respect. Even after being threatened to be arrested, he continued to fight for NIM's rights unlike the other researchers.

     I was also surprised that after the project was over, nobody visited the chimp. As the project was approaching the end, the people who had grown to become NIM's family sounded sad. Throughout the story, they had become attached to the young chimp. Stephanie Lafarge, the lady who first too NIM in, even considered herself as his mother. When I heard how devastated everybody seemed, I thought that they would for sure come back to visit NIM. Unfortunately, they did not. It took me by surprise how they would just release chimp back into the wild after living and interacting with humans his entire life. I wonder how NIM must have felt.

     Some questions that came to mind after watching the movie was why the chimps couldn't have been treated in a more humane way? In the film, I seen the living conditions of the primates and I felt disgusted. They were living in tiny compartments. Animals have feelings, too. They should be treated with respect. How would the researchers feel if they were trapped in the same place they placed the chimps? It must have felt more like a prison rather than a home. 

    Also, I wonder why Dr.Herbert Terrace, the creator of the project, sacrificed it for relationships with his fellow women workers? For instance, when Herb wanted to have a relationship with Laura, Laura left because she seen how their relationship impacted NIM's behavior. NIM would always begin to lash out when he seen the to together because he thought Herb was going to take Laura away from him. When, Laura was packing to leave the experiment, NIM threw himself onto her and started pounding her head. It took four men to take the chimp off of her. If Herb hadn't become so persistent with having a relationship with Laura, she would have stayed and they would have gotten more results from NIM.

     Feelings of hate and disgust stayed with me even after watching the documentary. Just looking at the living arrangements of the chimps makes me feel sick to my stomach. They're chained up in cages. What makes it worse, is that events similar to these still go on today. Many major companies still test make-up and other products on innocent animals. Chimpanzees aren't the only animals that are tested on. Humans tests on all animals including rats, rabbits, pigs, and even dogs. Rabbits are chemically burned when researchers test new products on them. The way humans treat animals is immoral and completely wrong.

     There seem to be many problematic concepts in the film. For instance, one of the main issues is revolved around animal testing. The way they experimented on NIM brought tears to my eyes. It's horrible that this kind of treatment towards animals still exists today. Also, I thought that letting NIM smoke weed and drink was a cruel thing to do. It does not make sense to me. The purpose of the experiment was to treat NIM like a human infant. Would a human let their baby drink and smoke? Furthermore, ethical issues come up in the film. The chimp started out being raised as a human by humans. However, he ended up as a research project where they would give him vaccines and tests. Does this project count as animal cruelty? Was it considered animal cruelty back then? Also, I question the morality of the film. One of the researchers admitted to breastfeeding the chimp. The things they did to the animal would seem completely wrong in 2017. Another problem is leaving the chimp with families who had no previous experience. The first family NIM was placed with had no idea what they were doing or how to check if the chimp was progressing. Lastly, I wonder if they took any precautions with this project. Raised by humans or not, a chimpanzee is still a wild animal. Did they not think of the danger that could have potentially occurred?  To me, it seems they did not think of the risks involved. There were many accidents with NIM acting up, hitting his teachers, bashing their heads, biting them, and many more mishaps.